California to Start Prescribed Burns at Henry Coe
California State Parks plans controlled burns in Henry W. Coe State Park as early as November 7, with some roads and trails closed nearby.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in National Parks
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California State Parks will conduct prescribed burns in Henry W. Coe State Park, with burns scheduled to start as soon as November 7, 2026, pending weather conditions. Some park roads, facilities, and trails near the burn area may be closed.
Why it matters
The burns are part of the state's prescribed fire program for vegetation management and hazardous fuel reduction across California. Residents across the state may see smoke and should expect closures in the affected park area.
Individual burns will range from 4 to 60 acres, and about 500 brush piles will be burned across the project. Start dates depend on available fire resources, weather, and air quality, which remain unconfirmed.
The players
California State Parks
The state agency that manages California's state park system and is conducting the prescribed burns in Henry W. Coe State Park.
The details
Burns may occur around Hobbs Road, Monument Trail, Ponderosa Trail, and Manzanita Point Road, and pile burning may take place in the Gilroy-Yamato Hot Springs region. Smoke may be visible from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on burn days, and burning may continue through June during breaks from rain.
Timeline
Burns could start as soon as November 7, 2026, pending weather.
Smoke may be visible from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on burn days.
Prescribed burning may continue through June 2027.
Seasonal Patterns
Prescribed burns under California State Parks' prescribed fire program are timed around weather and air quality windows that typically open in late fall and run into spring. The Henry W. Coe burns follow that program's practice of reducing hazardous fuel loads before fire season.
Visitors to Henry W. Coe State Park should check for closures of park roads, facilities, and trails near the burn area before traveling. Smoke may be visible from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on burn days, so plan accordingly if you are sensitive to smoke.
The takeaway
Check current closure notices before heading into Henry W. Coe State Park during the burn season. Smoke and road closures may change day to day depending on weather.
What happens next
Burns could start as soon as November 7, 2026, with prescribed burning possibly continuing through June 2027 during breaks from rain.
Further reading
Explore more on National Parks to see how California manages its state park lands.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Fresno Bee.
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